Book Review: Of Different Minds

It can feel overwhelming when your child first receives a learning difference diagnosis such as ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia or Sensory Processing Disorder.  Of Different Minds: Seeing Your AD/HD Child Through the Eyes of God by Maren Angelotti, M.A.T. reminds parents that God does not make mistakes, then guides them through the process of refocusing their personal expectations and providing tools to help them become strong advocates for their child.

“God has a special purpose in mind for every person created in His image and that includes each one who is learning different!”

This book offers a solid introduction to the world of learning differences.  It provides concise descriptions of eight learning differences, ranging from perceptual dysfunction to emotional problems.  It describes all six types of attention-deficit disorder.  It briefly, but directly mentions adoptive children when referencing sensory deprivation and cultural deprivation or disadvantage.

Author Maren Angelotti also describes commonly occurring forms of parental denial and addresses the fears surrounding many learning differences, even listing some of their advantages.  The book later goes on to suggest discipline and time-management techniques and to provide suggestions for navigating the worlds of public, private and home schooling with a child who learns differently.

Of Different Minds is an excellent resource for Christian parents who have a child who learns differently.  While still an excellent resource for non-Christians, parents should be aware that Of Different Minds contains several Scriptural references, two Bible studies and an overall Biblical perspective.